Box Score |  Notes

MADISON, Wis. (Sept. 21, 2007) - The University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee women's soccer team used torrential down pour to its advantage, scoring a 1-0 win over in-state rival Wisconsin Friday night in Madison.

The game was delayed in the fifth minute for 84 minutes due to lightning in the area, while the first half was played in escalating rain showers. Milwaukee improved to 4-3 on the year, while the Badgers' record evened out at 3-3-1.

"When the field gets that wet and the ball starts skipping a lot, it gets difficult so you have to be more precise with your passing," Milwaukee head coach Michael Moynihan said. "You have to be focused and have the technical ability to maintain control of the ball. Our team seemed very comfortable with that."

After a scoreless first half, the Panthers got on the board less than two minutes into the second frame. Sophomore Kayla DeJardin started the play with a long centering pass to sophomore Kate Megna in the middle. Megna flicked it on the ground to Kreuser, who stopped the ball, spun to lose a defender and blasted a shot from 20 yards out.

"The goal was very classy. It was a beautiful goal," Moynihan said. "We had a nice build up and I thought Megna had a nice little flick. The way Kreuser spun (her defender) and hit the shot made for an awesome goal."

Milwaukee controlled the pace of play throughout the game, embracing the slippery conditions and creating a number of dangerous opportunities. In the first half, Kreuser sent a cross through the box, which Megna volleyed at the Badger keeper.

"I liked the energy we came out with," Moynihan said. "This was probably the best we've played in terms of combining our midfield play with an urgency to get forward and into the box."

For the game, UWM outshot its hosts 10-5, including an 8-3 edge in shots on goal. The Badgers did force five corner kicks, compared to two by Milwaukee.

Late in the game, the Panthers threatened to make it 2-0, as junior Sarah Teegarden blasted a shot on frame that UW keeper Jamie Klages had to punch over the bar. On the impending corner kick, Megna sent a high ball at the far post that freshman Nicole Sperl volleyed on target. Klages came away with another save.

"We had some good opportunities that did not go our way, but I thought we looked a lot more threatening in those than last weekend," Moynihan said. "We had three midfielders that played the entire game and I thought put in a phenomenal work rate and it showed."

Klages was called on to make eight saves on the night, while UWM goalkeeper Erin Kane made three saves for her third shutout of the season and the 29th of her career.

Kane preserved the shutout with just under three minutes remaining in regulation with a sprawling save on a long distance shot. UW's Taylor Walsh settled a ball with her chest in the midfield and volleyed a shot on target from 35 yards out. Kane's sprawling save pushed the ball outside the post.

The win was UWM's third win over Wisconsin, including in the teams' last two meetings.

Milwaukee returns to action Sunday, hosting No. 24 Marquette at Engelmann Field. The Panthers and Golden Eagles kick off at 6 p.m. in a match that will be televised live on Time Warner Sports channel 32.